The big crowd at the FNPF headquarters at Downtown Boulevard in Suva trying to access COVID-19 assistance this morning - Monday, April 06, 2020. Picture: RAMA

Despite numerous calls by the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) and instructions handed out by the Government for people to maintain social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic facing the country, hundreds of people were still seen this morning queuing up in close range to each in front the FNPF office in Suva.

When a team from this newspaper visited the venue, people could be seen lining up along the entrance at Ellery Street.

With the presence of Police officers, people still did not stand the required 2m distance as set out in the directives.

Earlier in a statement, FNPF chief executive officer Jaoji Koroi said the Fund would be working closely with the employers through digital platforms to attend to COVID-19 assistance applications.

“For the Suva lockdown area, the member must be affected through reduced working hours, reduced wage rate/salary, been sent on leave without pay or terminated or permanently laid-off. They can apply for a maximum of $500,” Mr Koroi had said.